OTTAWA -- The Council seat in Cumberland ward will remain empty until after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted.
Council voted unanimously to defer a decision on filling the seat left vacant by Stephen Blais resignation until Ontario’s state of emergency is lifted.
Several Councillors expressed support for holding a byelection in Cumberland ward.
In a report for Council, City Solicitor Rick O’Connor said Council had three options for filling the seat:
- Defer the decision on whether to appoint or hold a byelection until more certainty is established on the state of emergency
- Appoint someone to fill the vacancy by vote at Council
- Pass a bylaw to conduct a byelection in the fall. O’Connor had proposed a byelection for October 5.
Blais resigned the seat in March after winning the provincial byelection in Orleans.
The cost of a byelection to fill the seat in Cumberland ward would be approximately $375,000.
O’Connor told Council that both Cambridge and Windsor have had to suspend byelections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.